Lampard not happy with bench duty

Frank Lampard has admitted he was not happy at being left out of the Chelsea side, insisting he needs a run of games to maintain his form.

PUBLISHED: 08:30, Thu, Sep 29, 2011

Frank Lampard [PA]

Frank Lampard has admitted he was not happy at being left out of the Chelsea side, insisting he needs a run of games to maintain his form.

Lampard almost enjoyed a dream return to the side on Wednesday night when his goal set the Blues on their way to what looked set to be another Champions League victory in Valencia.

The midfielder's performance appeared to vindicate manager Andre Villas-Boas' decision to rotate him in and out of the team and speaking after the 1-1 draw at the Mestalla, Lampard said: "I don't want to just pick my money up and sit on my backside on the bench."

He added: "But you have to respect the manager and respect the team and the quality and the squad that we have.

"It's a big squad and the manager has to do what he sees fit. If he wants to bring young players through at times then I have to go on with that.

"Fortunately enough, I'm at a club that I love and I've got a great history here.

"I want to continue that story on for a good few years, not just now, not just the next few months."

Lampard has previously acknowledged he is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning but he insisted that made him even more determined to play as many matches as possible.

"I've probably been like that for a while," he said.

"I'm a player, I think, who likes to play regularly because I think it helps me get my momentum and stay fit and get confident. Hopefully, now, I can get a run of games. It's down to the manager."